Many of us remember the first time we watched Susan Boyle stride across our screens, standing confident yet slightly frazzled before a panel of weary judges and hundreds of skeptical audience members. Snickers resounded through the crowd, and the judges appeared unimpressed by her unassuming and unglamorous appearance, but as the music began and her voice rose melodiously through the venue, all doubts of her talent were laid to rest. “I saw people laughing and I knew they were laughing at me,” she told The Sunday Times. “But I thought, well, they’ll soon shut up when they hear me sing. And they did.”
Coming from the small Scottish village of Blackburn, West Lothian, Boyle’s life prior to her ascent to fame in 2009 was quiet and humble. She spent her days caring for her elderly mother and volunteering at her local church as a member of the choir, all while harboring a dream to share her voice with a more expansive audience. She aspired to be a professional singer but never imagined she would attain her current level of worldwide fame. Susan Boyle has exceeded all her professional expectations, having performed before world and religious leaders and sold-out stadiums of doting fans. She serves as a prime example of how talent transcends age and societal beauty standards.
Since 2007, the beloved and well-recognized televised talent show “Britain’s Got Talent” has provided a stage and opportunity for countless individuals and groups hoping for a chance to find fame. Simon Cowell created the “Got Talent” franchise, which kicked off in 2006 with “America’s Got Talent” and eventually made its way across the Atlantic. Since then, Cowell has served as a judge for both the American and British versions of the show and is known as one of the panel’s harshest members.
In 2023, Cowell sat down with “America’s Got Talent” host Terry Crews to rewatch and give further commentary on some of the most memorable “Got Talent” auditions, and on the list of outstanding performances was Susan Boyle’s audition for “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2009 when she sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical “Les Misérables.” In the clip, Simon Cowell recalls his premature notions about Susan Boyle and says, “Our expectations were quite low, but she is the perfect example of ‘never judge a book by its cover.'”
Boyle shocked the judges and the audience with her powerful and beautiful voice. At the conclusion of the song, she received a standing ovation from the crowd and heartfelt praise from the judges, including Cowell, who happily informed her that she earned three “yeses” and that she was able to move on to the next round of the competition.
Susan Boyle assured viewers that her stellar audition was not a fluke as she continued her successful “Britain’s Got Talent” run in 2009 with another bombshell performance in the show’s semi-final round. She chose the song “Memory” from the musical “Cats,” which is a piece that requires immense skill and vocal control to sing well. Though she got off to a timid start, Boyle quickly found her footing and delivered a stunning performance that earned her the position of “fan favorite.”
Boyle was praised warmly by the judges after her performance, with Piers Morgan saying, “I think you look absolutely beautiful tonight, and more importantly, I thought you sang beautifully as well.” Amanda Holden chimed in as well, telling Boyle, “I’m just so relieved that it went so fantastically well for you … you nailed that performance. I’m so proud of you.” Simon Cowell, who had been vocal about his satisfaction with Boyle’s singing on the show since her audition, added, “Susan, you are one special lady … I’m very happy — very proud of you.”
It was revealed at the end of the semi-final episode that Boyle had won the “public vote,” in which viewers of the show call in to cast their votes. Her performance was viewed by millions across the world on television and eventually on YouTube, and her favor with fans of the show ultimately led her to the final round of the 2009 season.
As Susan Boyle stood on stage for her “Britain’s Got Talent” audition, Simon Cowell asked whose success she aspired to emulate. After a moment of thought, she answered, “Elaine Paige.” Though members of the audience expressed a lack of knowledge of Paige, she is a genuinely accomplished singer and musical theatre actress who has performed as a lead in many hit musicals, such as “Cats,” “Hair,” and “Evita” both for London’s West End and Broadway.
After receiving countless emails regarding Boyle’s audition, Paige eventually sat down to watch it herself. She was so impressed by Boyle’s talent and personality that she became interested in performing with her. In an interview published by The Guardian, she said, “It seems her performance has captured the hearts of everyone who saw it, me included … it looks like I have competition! Perhaps we should record a duet?”
After the end of her season on “Britain’s Got Talent,” Boyle starred in an hour-long ITV1 special entitled “I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story,” at which point she was able to perform with Paige. Boyle was overjoyed to have the chance to meet her idol, and the pair sang “I Know Him So Well” from the musical “Chess.” “I never thought I would see myself standing on the same stage with such an icon from West End theatre, let alone singing with her as an equal,” Boyle told The Telegraph soon after the performance.
